Canada RRSP Lifelong Learning Plan: limits and repayment
The Lifelong Learning Plan permits qualifying RRSP withdrawals for education, with annual and total limits followed by repayment obligations.
On this page
- Annual withdrawal limit
- $10,000 per calendar year.CRA, LLP withdrawal limits
- Total withdrawal limit
- $20,000.CRA, LLP withdrawal limits
- General repayment period
- 10 years; generally 1/10 of the total withdrawn each year.CRA, LLP repayment rules
Annual and total withdrawal limits
The Lifelong Learning Plan allows up to $10,000 in a calendar year from RRSPs to finance full-time education or training for the participant or their spouse or common-law partner, with a total limit of $20,000. It cannot finance a child's education or training. CRA, LLP withdrawal limits (opens in a new tab).
Student and residency conditions
The participant must be an RRSP annuitant and meet Canadian residency conditions. The student must enrol full-time in a qualifying education program at a designated educational institution, with a part-time exception for students meeting the disability conditions. CRA, LLP eligibility (opens in a new tab).
Repayment timing
Repayment is generally over 10 years, with 1/10 of the total withdrawn repaid each year until the balance is zero. The latest repayment start is the fifth year after the first withdrawal. It usually starts earlier if the student fails to qualify for at least three months in each of two consecutive years. CRA, LLP repayment rules (opens in a new tab).
Repayments are designated using Schedule 7 and cannot be deducted as RRSP contributions. If the designated repayment is below the required amount, the difference must be included in income for that year. CRA, LLP repayments and income inclusion (opens in a new tab).
Scope of this explanation
This is general information about Canada, not personal tax or financial advice. This page does not calculate withdrawals or repayments, determine program eligibility or cover cancellation, death, non-residency and age-related repayment exceptions. The government does not endorse this website.